Fire apparatus.



F. E. ROPE.

FIRE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

k INVENTOR 5? 5 24 14. &L

ATTORNEY OggVITNESSES Mai 2;

FRANK E. RUFF, OF RICHFIELD SPRINGS, NEW YORK.

FIRE APPARATUS.

Application filed January 12, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. Row, a citizen of the United States, residing at ltichfield Springs, in the county of Otsego and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had. therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improved fire apparatus, and I declare that the following is a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof, sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout.

The invention comprises the combination into a unit of various parts or members which thus become a new and improved fire extinguishing apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide such an appliance to be kept in public places, on street-corners or the like, so as to be available for immediate use by patrolmen, watchmen or those who happen to be passing by, which by reason of the parts which are included in the combination is ready for use at all times and greatly increases the efi'iciency of a single watchman and enlarges the territory which he can cover. It will often prove suflicient to extinguish a fire, when used by a single per son, without the necessity of calling out the fire department, and at the same time has facilities for the use of others, who may be within call, in assisting to fight the fire. In short, the apparatus is designed as an enlarged unit and complete, in an area which a watchman can easily cover, for the prompt extinguishing of fires.

The apparatus is a combinationof certain utilities in form, by its portability, to increase the radius of the district covered, and

= provides means of maintaining from freezing, extinguishing appliances, without increasing the danger to property which would be caused by maintaining fires in buildings.

It is a portable fire apparatus which provides means for maintaining a given temperature, for its detachable appliances, to avoid freezing and which does not expose property which is under protection to any risk of ignition from same since it is sulficiently removed from such property not to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 21, Mil i.

Serial No. 670,868.

endanger it, and can be used without danger to other property.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical section and Fig. 8 is a plan view in section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away or omitted.

Referring to the figures in detail, A represents a case or cabinet which is of suitable dimensions and is supported on suitable means to render it easily portable. An illustration of such means is shown by wheels B, on hub-plates C, fastened to the side of the case or in other manner. The proper mounting of the case relative to the wheel or other carrier means is a matter which can be arranged by anyone, providing spring support, if desired, the showing here being simply indicative. Means for drawing the apparatus is shown by D.

The case may be built of any suitable material, but in view of the purposes for which it is designed it may be preferred to build it of two thicknesses of board, shown at 1 and 2, with a sheet of protective material between them, shown at 3, such as felt, paper or other material to aid in keeping an even temperature in the case. A cover E is hinged as at e, 6, provided with proper fastenings as at F and brackets G are placed to support it when opened.

Inside the case are placed fire-extinguishing' devices represented at H, resting in suitable racks as J, to secure them and yet allow ready removal. Suitable implements for use in the emergencies the apparatus is designed to meet may be provided, such as an ax represented at K.

As the apparatus is intended to be placed in convenient and accessible places it is advisable to make provision against the effect of extremely cold weather, beyond the particular construction of the case which may be adopted and as above indicated.

At M is a base secured to the bottom of the case designed to receive a heating member N, here shown in the form of a lantern. The base is in the form of a ring with its inner periphery beveled from the top inward to the bottom so as to facilitate placing the lantern or the like. The lantern being the chosen form of heating member it has a further use in giving light, and so the base is adapted for its convenient placing and removal,

The double use to which the lantern may be put leads to its choice. It may not only be taken from the apparatus for use in different places but, one or more sides of the case being provided with a glass, as at 1?, it serves to throw a light in front, rear or sides to indicate the location of the apparatus and to light the way when being taken to the scene of a fire; also serving as a signal as to its location at night and signifying at a distance, its readiness.

At R is represented a thermometer by reference to which an attendant is enabled to maintain a given temperature Within the case.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Fire fighting apparatus comprising an inclosing portable box or case provided with internal means to removably support a lighting and heat-generating manually-portable unit, said case being formed to display exteriorly the light generated by said unit as a signal to indicate the location of said apparatus, and a series of removable manuallyportable fire extinguishing units arranged in said case, said case having means whereby the same can be opened and. closed for the purposes substantially as described.

2. Fire fighting apparatus comprising a portable ease having means whereby the same can be opened and closed, a lighting and heat generatin unit arranged in said case to display its ight at the exterior of the case and to maintain the temperature withinthe case above a minimum, and a number of portable fire extinguishing units removably arranged within said ,case and subject to the heat generated by said lighting unit.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ilfllX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. ROFF.

lVitnesses FRANK Cinsr, W. A. VVIKorr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oflPatents, Washington, D. C. 

